At Hattiesburg Clinic, our board-certified physicians offer advanced bronchoscopy, robotic bronchoscopy and Endobronchial with Ultrasound (EBUS) to find the cause of your lung conditions. This procedure is used to diagnose and manage a wide range of respiratory conditions.
During a bronchoscopy, a bronchoscope with a small camera is threaded through your nose or mouth, down your throat and into your lungs, allowing doctors to see the inside of your airway and lungs. We use a bronchoscope to help investigate lung problems, collect biopsies and remove blockages or excess mucus.
Our pulmonologists offer the only robotic bronchoscopy in the area. Robotic bronchoscopy allows more precise navigation of the bronchoscope through the airways, with the ability to navigate to hard-to-reach areas. The robotic technique enhances the accuracy and safety of lung biopsies.
Bronchoscopy with ultrasound, specifically Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), combines traditional bronchoscopy with an ultrasound. During the procedure, an ultrasound probe attached to the bronchoscope allows doctors to see beyond the airways and into the surrounding lung tissue and lymph nodes. This helps doctors obtain more accurate tissue samples when diagnosing and staging lung cancer, detecting and biopsying masses and investigating lymphadenopathy.
A bronchoscopy is usually recommended for patients with one or more of the following symptoms:
All three procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis, usually lasting under an hour. During the bronchoscopy, you will be sedated to help you relax while local anesthesia is used to numb your throat. In some cases, we may use general anesthesia to put you to sleep during the procedure.
After your bronchoscopy, you may experience mild throat soreness, cough or hoarseness, but these symptoms should resolve within a few days. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on what to do and what to avoid after the procedure.
The results of any biopsies or samples taken during the bronchoscopy may take a few days to a week, and your pulmonologist will discuss these results at your follow-up appointment.
Hattiesburg Clinic is recognized for its advanced diagnostic and treatment options for lung conditions, including a specialized bronchoscopy system. Contact our expert pulmonologists today.